It feels somewhat bizarre to go to Chester Zoo and not actually see any real animals.

But seeing the spectacular life sized animal illuminations at the annual Lanterns Parade gives you the chance to see the zoo as you've never seen it before - and it really is every bit as magical as it sounds.

Although I'm a regular visitor to the zoo I'd never actually been to the Lanterns Parade before but with a two-year-old daughter who is just becoming aware of Christmas, it was imperative we got to experience for ourselves this winter spectacular I'd heard so much about.

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There had been some negative criticism of last year's Lanterns event, with some complaining the parade had been too short and even 'bland'.

I didn't go so I can't really comment. But it's clear that the zoo listened to the feedback, took it on board and quietly decided that this year, critics would be singing a completely different tune in 2018.

Enchanted Woodland at Chester Zoo Lanterns

They have teamed up with Wild Rumpus to produce this year's parade which features a brand new route, new animals including sun bears, cheetahs and mandrills (as well as some of the old ones), and nine amazing spaces to explore, each with a different theme and different animals.

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When we arrived, my little one was given her own mini lantern (safely lit with an LED tealight) which she clutched onto fiercely throughout the entire route, and we adults were invited to pick our own much bigger lantern to carry.

The Lanterns at Chester Zoo 2018 (Image: Chester Zoo)

We had chosen the 4pm parade (they run every 20 minutes) so it was just turning dark when we entered the 'Garden of Delight’ space which was surrounded with 10ft illuminated flowers, then onto 'Moonlit Meadow' where we saw giraffes, zebras, lions and rhinos all of whom kindly allowed us to give them a pet on the nose.

It really was like being in another world; you genuinely feel like you're in some kind of festive animal universe a million miles away from Chester.

Each space seems even more impressive than the last, from seeing Santa and his reindeer in the Northern Lights space to the Enchanted Woodland which features an amazing wall of twinkling lights.

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Christmas in Chester 2018

For us, it was the penguins in the Ice Kingdom who really stole the show. I have truly never heard my daughter giggle as much as when the penguin 'regurgitated' the fish she placed into his mouth.

Chester Zoo Lanterns 2018 (Image: Chester Zoo)

Along the way we were given 3D glasses that made the lights change colour when you look at them and staff were giving out biscuits to the children too.

There's also a Christmas market where you can get all manner of festive food (I wimped out of trying a Christmas burrito) and a snow machine outside the recently renovated Oakfield House, which looked incredible festooned with its Christmas splendour.

Chester Zoo Lanterns 2018

About halfway through the route, which lasts just over an hour, I took a look around and every child's face I saw was just in complete awe of the magic on display at the Chester Zoo's Lanterns Parade.

To be honest, I was in awe myself. And that's all you can ask for really isn't it?

The Lanterns runs on selected dates until December 23. Tickets range from £10 - £17.50 for adults and £5 - £15 for children. Under 2s are free. Tickets can be bought here